Preparation

November 18h, 2014.

"So, what is the plan now?"
It had been 9 days since Gotham had been taken over by Bane and so far everything had gone as predicted. Blackgate had been overrun the day after, and Bane had released every psychotic, corrupt, mass murdering criminal that had ever been locked away. Then again, since Arkham Asylum still stood, Bane apparantly did requirer some kind of order. In the messed up kinda way.

Supplies for the citizens and the trapped police force were a whole other matter. Panic had, as expected, threatened to tear the city apart faster than any atom bomb.

With the food supplies cut off, people had begun to hoard all the food they could get there hands on. But there was no way they could continue like this, without food to feed the twelve million, soon-to-be, hungry people of Gotham.

Robin, who'd just returned from a brief recon mission, sank down in a chair next to Barbara who sat in front of the gigantic computer.

"I managed to track up some of Bane's closer accomplishes, and from what I gathered they plan on doing a trade with the government when the food supplies run low. They want the city to starve, but not to die." Robin shook his head, leaning back into his chair. "It's getting pretty rough out there." he said, closing his eyes and pulling of the black mask that had covered his eyes and thus becoming Dick once again.

Barbara nodded when he stopped talking. It was still rather weird for her to watch her friend in the Robin suit. But then again, it really hadn't been that big a surprise.

oOo

Nine days earlier
"...surprise?" Dick said, looked sheepishly at her.
Barbara starred. She had had her suspicions about the Boy Wonder and her friend. But to be frank, she had never thought that he would reveal himself to her. That shocked her more than anything.

"Wait.. if you are Robin, does that mean that Bruce..?"

"Yeah, he's Batman. Sorta long story. Going to save that for later." Dick sat back. "But I guess we'll have plenty of time to discuss this."

"Where is Bruce now?"

"Not in Gotham. Bane beat him up, and possibly killed him." Barbara narrowed her eyes at the blank tone her friend was using.

"The Justice League is looking for him, I asked them to.."

"Wait wait wait..! Dick, why do you sound like that?" she asked, walking closer.
He looked up at her, confused. "Like what?"

"Like you almost don't care. Have you been practising apathy or something equally disturbing?"
He starred at her. "I do care Babs, but what do you want me to do? Gotham is in the hands of that psychopath and the League of Shadows.." a frown crossed his mind.

"Oh no.." He placed a hand over his eyes. Barbara looked worried.

"What?"

"I forgot to mention that to Superman! The League doesn't know it's the League of Shadows who is behind all of this! Damn it!"
Barbara tried to wrap her head around it all, her friend going on and on about villains and plans and justice league and what not.

"But, Bruce is as good as your dad. Aren't you worried about him?"

"Of course Babs, how can you even say that! I'm worried sick, both for him and Alfred, but fact is that the Justice League IS looking for him and there isn't anything more I can do about it right now."

She nodded, lowering herself in the chair across Dick's.
"Fair enough. But I am here if you need to talk about it." she eyed him with suspicion and a slight smirk.

"Am I right in the assumption that you haven't just brought me here because we are friends that go long way back or because you thought of me as a damsel in distress?"

Dick removed his hand from his forehead, finally offering her a small smile in return.
"Of course not. As of now, Gotham's only hero is me. And Catwoman should she choose to be one..."

"Count on it little bird!" the older woman yelled from the other room. "As long as it doesn't require me to sacrifices my life for the cause!"
Barbara smiled and Dick shook his head. "As loyal as ever." he leaned forward. "But really, Catwoman is a terrific fighter. And more importantly, a great thief. She knows people and how to get around without getting caught. A valuable skill and invaluable to us."

"Us?"

"I can't do this alone Babs, and even with Catwoman we are still so greatly out numbered that it is almost a laughing stock. Why do you think Bane didn't include me in that little speech of his? He doesn't count me as a threat and much less a rival. I very much doubt that his triggermen has orders to blow the bomb if they see me."

"Are you sure?"

"Of course not, I can't be. Not yet. Which is why we mustn't be seen, at all cost."

"Seen where, doing what? And please, if you would explain this 'we and us' you are going on about?"

oOo

"We will locate the triggermen, and take them out. One by one."
Barbara stared at him for a full minute without blinking. Then..

"Did you hid your head or something before you came back?"

"No." Dick said simply.

"Then, correct me if I am wrong, didn't you just say that we will locate the triggermen and take them out?"

"You heard me correct."

"Oka-ay.." she leaned back, rubbing her temples. "Please explain before I call the men in white coats."

"You remember what I told you about the bomb? How it is a time bomb, no matter what Bane says?"
She nodded "Of course, it is kinda hard to forget that there's a atom time bomb just a few blocks away, you know." she commented dryly. He gave her a look before continuing.

"That means that we only have a little more than four months to come up with a plan on how to get rid of the bomb. But, in order to do this, we first of all have to disable the long distance control on it and in doing so taking away Bane's upper hand on the Justice League. If Bane loses control of the bomb, the Justice League can enter the city without risking the lives of the citizens."

Barbara nodded, a frown on her face. "I figured as much. But Dick, can't you see the problem with all this? Bane will notice if we are taking out his triggermen. He isn't stupid. A big brute yes, but not stupid. Unfortunately. Not to mention, how will you 'take out' the triggermen? As far as I understand, killing is a no-go in the Bat book."

Dick rubbed his neck. "I'm still working on that part. But I fear we will have to make it look like it's the police and civilians that are attacking these guys." he looked apologetic at her. "We only need the trigger, either to bring back here or destroy. We have to make it like accidents, we can't risk tipping our hand to Bane or his henchmen."

Barbara's eyes darkened. "You'll make it seem like it's the fault of my father and the few police officers who are helping him." she then signed, leaning forward, resting her head in her hands. "I guess that is the only way." she murmured in a resigned voice.

Dick laid his hand on her knee. "I am sorry." his voice sounded pained. And more importantly, she could see the guilt in his eyes.

"It won't be every time. It'll have to look random, like the triggermen has gotten into a street fight or something like that." He explained.

Barbara nodded, giving his hand a slight pat. "That's a good plan. Well..!" she stood up, stretching her back.

"Better get back to training, don't you think? We'll get busy soon enough."

oOo

..Nine days earlier
Dick grinned, placing his hands on his hips.

"You don't fool me Barbara. I know you are a big Batman and Robin fan. Not as much of the characters as the work behind .. And I'm sure that you've always wanted to aid us in the crusade of cleansing Gotham from the criminals, the corrupt and the psychopaths?"

She echoed his movements, placing her hands on her hips. "I have to work on my poker face. I would be rather insulted if you didn't ask me."

"Then, Barbara Gordon, daughter of the police commissioner of Gotham, my long trusted friend.. I hereby ask you to join the Bat family and join our fight to rid Gotham of these terrorists."

She grinned.

"Need you ask?"

oOo

Dick stood up. "Back to training it is. We have to get you in shape after all." she gave him a friendly push through the door.

"Watch it Boy Wonder. I've taken self-defence and ballet for more than ten years. I think I know how to handle myself."

"How could I forget, I'm sure a nice little pirouette will come in handy against Bane." Dick threw her a smile over his shoulder as they walked down the small corridor to the training room. "Then again, I doubt he's ever even watched a ballet so I guess it would take him by surprise."

Barbara looked smug. "It isn't my fault I am the only one with a little class around these parts.. circus brat."

"Oh, that's original." Dick said, mock hurt in his voice.

They entered the room, and immediately began to warm up.

They had trained every day ever since Dick had introduced Barbara to the world of the Bats. It wasn't because she needed the training, as she said – she knew how to handle herself. But even though she was a great fighter and a great athlete she had never thrown a batarang (no surprise there) or used such advanced computertech in order to locate and target enemies (along with pretty much everybody else in the world) not to mention that she wasn't accustomed to Scarecrows fear gas (he envied her on that one) and she had only climbed down a ten storey building a few times (that one surprised him). When he'd asked her why she would climb down a ten storey building she'd smiled a secretive smile and said she did it just to see if she could.

If he'd had any doubt by then about her mind and abilities, they disappeared that day.

So, they trained. He injected her with the newest antidote for the fear gas and learned her how to use the grabbing hook to swing between the buildings of Gotham. Luck was with them, as the weather had been bad the last few nights, leaving almost no one out on the street allowing Robin to teach the newest the fine art of vigilance.

As Robin watched his friend climb the twenty storey building with ease he felt a little pang of hope.

Maybe it would be okay. At least they had a plan and they won't going to make it easy for Bane and his people.

My version of Barbara Gordon is based on the New 52's Batgirl and the Batgirl from Young Justice (since those are the ones who are fresh in my mind). She is a fighter and talented, but still pretty new at this. Hence the training. And they have a plan! Not sure if it is a good plan, but that's what they get to work with right now.

And we have finally turned away from the 9th of November. There'll be a lot more time jumps in the future chapters, it is after all 5 months that needs to be covered.

You can thank my holiday for the frequently updates. I hope for one or two more chapters before I return to work.

And of course, a huge thanks to all of you who've taken your time write me a review! You guys are so sweet and encouraging.